Rail chaos continues after overhead line damage
EPARail disruption caused by damaged overhead lines near Piccadilly station in Manchester looks set to last all day, Network Rail has warned.
A team of engineers has "worked through the night" to try to fix the problem, which first arose on Thursday, a spokesperson said.
Network Rail has apologised to passengers and said it was working with operators to "keep passengers on the move wherever possible".
Some replacement bus services are being provided and tickets may be valid on alternative routes if trains are cancelled.
National Rail said most trains can run again but some platforms remain unavailable.
A spokesperson warned "significant disruption" was still expected, including cancellations and delays of up to an hour.
'Complex repairs'
Services facing cancellation include:
- Avanti West Coast services between Piccadilly and Stockport
- CrossCountry services between Piccadilly and Macclesfield
- East Midlands Railway services between Piccadilly and both Liverpool Lime Street and Sheffield
- Northern services between Piccadilly and Hatfield, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe and Marple
- Transpennine Express services between Piccadilly and Manchester Airport
- Transport for Wales services also between Piccadilly and Manchester Airport
Network Rail apologised for the disruption.
The spokesperson added: "Engineers have worked throughout the night on complex repairs which are taking longer than expected as the damage was more extensive than first anticipated.
"Our team are still working on the overhead lines and we expect to start running trains by 09:00 BST.
"We are working closely with our train operator partners to keep passengers on the move wherever possible, so please check the National Rail Enquiries website for the latest information on train services today and over the weekend."
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